achavarria99's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
perfectonempty's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This book will easily win over fans of ACOTAR - brooding, handsome bad boy love interest? Gothic nightmarish kingdom? Sloooooow burn romance? Fae?!
This was a really pleasant, easy read and a great introduction to the trilogy. There are definitely some weaknesses - pacing is a little off, and I would have loved some more detail about the world building, but it was an enjoyable read and I'll definitely be picking up the next book in the trilogy. There's a lot of promise, and a really strong plot, if a little predictable at times. I'm interested to see more from this author, and would definitely recommend if you're a fan of similar fantasy.
This was a really pleasant, easy read and a great introduction to the trilogy. There are definitely some weaknesses - pacing is a little off, and I would have loved some more detail about the world building, but it was an enjoyable read and I'll definitely be picking up the next book in the trilogy. There's a lot of promise, and a really strong plot, if a little predictable at times. I'm interested to see more from this author, and would definitely recommend if you're a fan of similar fantasy.
becxreadz's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Liked
*All the creatures
*Realms based on gems
*The ending
Disliked
*Felt like a knock off Acotar
*Guessed the identity twists from the beginning
*Another dark haired love interest...how original
*Audio narration felt very YA
*All the creatures
*Realms based on gems
*The ending
Disliked
*Felt like a knock off Acotar
*Guessed the identity twists from the beginning
*Another dark haired love interest...how original
*Audio narration felt very YA
alexinwxnderland's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
empressteresa's review against another edition
2.0
all of the characters are stupid but this book works as a cheesy fantasy romance
torriethielbar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
nic_readsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love a fantasy romance and this is a series I will hopefully be adding to my favourites. This is the first book and does a great job in building the world and setting the scene for future books.
I really liked our female main character - she’s quietly brave and one of the strongest characters I have read. She’ll do anything for her family, no matter the risk to herself.
The MMC is broody and reserved. We learn a lot about him as the plot develops and he becomes a much more likeable character.
There’s plenty of twists and turns and some great side characters who I suspect will be playing a bigger role in the rest of the series.
This was a great read and I will definitely be picking up the sequel in April 2024.
thewordslinger's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
3.5 stars
Okay so listen. There aren't any surprises in this one. Nothing truly unique or different or...dare I say it... special... about the concept of this story. If you're into ACOTAR and the like, this is right up your alley. Just don't expect extraordinary...cause it's pretty run-of-the-mill Fae-themed romantasy as far as the genre goes.
That being said, it's an easy read and attention-holding for the most part. This is definitely the first book in a series, and because of that we don't get a TON of explanations about powers and creatures in the world and whatnot, but there's always hope this will be expanded in the future.
The characters are alright. I don't have any major gripes about the MMC or FMC or any of the side characters (Mari and Griffin especially stole the show for me). We get only the briefest intro to the villain, but he's what you'd expect out of an ancient, ruthless, non-human creature.
-shrug-
I dunno man. This wasn't bad, by any stretch of the imagination. But I wasn't blown away, either.
I don't honestly have a ton to say about this other than that. I'm leaving my reader's notes (but don't expect much from them, honestly, I was half-assing it) for anyone who cares.
Is it Boobs Titscleavage? Because that's about the only thing anybody notices about her. Every man in this book is, apparently, a chest man. Where my ass men at?????
The only thing this girl can do is heal people (awesome), cry (not awesome), and breast boobily about everywhere (really fucking irritating).
I get it. We're reading about a female MC with some fantastic honkers.
Is this story going to be about anything else? Asking for a friend.
Chapter 5: ARWEN. Okay. Like the elf lady in LotR. I can remember that. I was afraid I was going to have to call her Jugs McHonkers the whole book.
Chapter 19: You mean to tell me Arwen just straight up believes this wild ass story about Fae kings and conspiracies and plots to destroy realms with zero proof, even when it implicates her childhood paramour as a murderous psycho?
Just how drunk is she?
I'd have expected at least a LITTLE push-back...
Chapter 21: I feel more for these chimeras than I do for Arwen and Kane.
Chapter 24: Please let Griffin and Mari get together.
Chapter 29: She's afraid NOW that he's fae and can kill hundreds with his shadow power? Kane's already told her LONG before the battle happened...and she's scared of him? Okay, Arwen.
Chapter 30: Yeaaaaaaaah. That's not what betrayal is.
How, exactly, has Kane <i>used</i> Arwen????? He kept a secret from her--because if he'd told her does anyone here think she'd have believed him? Fuck no. But he wasn't USING her.
Outside, maybe, of the healing abilities--which she OFFERED. He wasn't USING her, he had accepted a deal SHE made. And in more than one instance, he kept her safe, healed her, favored her, doted on her, tried to keep her OUT of the fighting....
At least give me a good reason to hate the MMC if you're going to go with this betrayal trope.
Okay so listen. There aren't any surprises in this one. Nothing truly unique or different or...dare I say it... special... about the concept of this story. If you're into ACOTAR and the like, this is right up your alley. Just don't expect extraordinary...cause it's pretty run-of-the-mill Fae-themed romantasy as far as the genre goes.
That being said, it's an easy read and attention-holding for the most part. This is definitely the first book in a series, and because of that we don't get a TON of explanations about powers and creatures in the world and whatnot, but there's always hope this will be expanded in the future.
The characters are alright. I don't have any major gripes about the MMC or FMC or any of the side characters (Mari and Griffin especially stole the show for me). We get only the briefest intro to the villain, but he's what you'd expect out of an ancient, ruthless, non-human creature.
-shrug-
I dunno man. This wasn't bad, by any stretch of the imagination. But I wasn't blown away, either.
I don't honestly have a ton to say about this other than that. I'm leaving my reader's notes (but don't expect much from them, honestly, I was half-assing it) for anyone who cares.
Spoiler
Chapter 4: I'm 4 chapters into this book and I still don't know the main character's name. I'm pretty sure it was said in chapter 1. But I can't remember it.Is it Boobs Titscleavage? Because that's about the only thing anybody notices about her. Every man in this book is, apparently, a chest man. Where my ass men at?????
The only thing this girl can do is heal people (awesome), cry (not awesome), and breast boobily about everywhere (really fucking irritating).
I get it. We're reading about a female MC with some fantastic honkers.
Is this story going to be about anything else? Asking for a friend.
Chapter 5: ARWEN. Okay. Like the elf lady in LotR. I can remember that. I was afraid I was going to have to call her Jugs McHonkers the whole book.
Chapter 19: You mean to tell me Arwen just straight up believes this wild ass story about Fae kings and conspiracies and plots to destroy realms with zero proof, even when it implicates her childhood paramour as a murderous psycho?
Just how drunk is she?
I'd have expected at least a LITTLE push-back...
Chapter 21: I feel more for these chimeras than I do for Arwen and Kane.
Chapter 24: Please let Griffin and Mari get together.
Chapter 29: She's afraid NOW that he's fae and can kill hundreds with his shadow power? Kane's already told her LONG before the battle happened...and she's scared of him? Okay, Arwen.
Chapter 30: Yeaaaaaaaah. That's not what betrayal is.
How, exactly, has Kane <i>used</i> Arwen????? He kept a secret from her--because if he'd told her does anyone here think she'd have believed him? Fuck no. But he wasn't USING her.
Outside, maybe, of the healing abilities--which she OFFERED. He wasn't USING her, he had accepted a deal SHE made. And in more than one instance, he kept her safe, healed her, favored her, doted on her, tried to keep her OUT of the fighting....
At least give me a good reason to hate the MMC if you're going to go with this betrayal trope.